Minnesota Session Laws - 2007, Regular Session

CHAPTER 30--H.F.No. 293

An act

relating to state government; appropriating money for environment and natural resources; modifying meeting requirements of the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116P.08, subdivision 5.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin MINNESOTA RESOURCES APPROPRIATION. new text end

new text begin The sums shown in the columns marked "Appropriations" are appropriated to the agencies and for the purposes specified in this act. The appropriations are from the general fund, or another named fund, and are available for the fiscal years indicated for each purpose. The figures "2008" and "2009" used in this article mean that the appropriations listed under them are available for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, or June 30, 2009, respectively. "The first year" is fiscal year 2008. "The second year" is fiscal year 2009. "The biennium" is fiscal years 2008 and 2009. Appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, are effective the day following final enactment. new text end

			new text begin APPROPRIATIONS new text end
			new text begin Available for the Year new text end
			new text begin Ending June 30 new text end
				new text begin 2008 new text end		new text begin 2009 new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin MINNESOTA RESOURCES new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end new text begin Total Appropriation new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin 23,366,000 new text end

new text begin $ new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
	new text begin 2008 new text end	new text begin 2009 new text end
new text begin Environment and Natural Resources Trust new text end	new text begin 22,866,000 new text end	new text begin -0- new text end
new text begin State Land and Water Conservation Account (LAWCON) new text end	new text begin 500,000 new text end	new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin Appropriations are available for either year of the biennium. Any unencumbered balance remaining in the first year does not cancel and is available for the second year of the biennium. new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end new text begin Definitions new text end

new text begin (a) "Trust fund" means the Minnesota environment and natural resources trust fund referred to in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.02, subdivision 6. new text end

new text begin (b) "State land and water conservation account (LAWCON)" means the state land and water conservation account in the natural resources fund referred to in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.14. new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end new text begin LCCMR and Contract Administration new text end

new text begin 1,318,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) new text end

new text begin $1,278,000 is from the trust fund for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 and is for administration as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.09, subdivision 5. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.281, the availability of up to $50,000 of the appropriation from Laws 2006, chapter 243, section 19, is extended to June 30, 2008, for communications outreach. new text end

new text begin (b) Contract Administration new text end

new text begin $40,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to complete contract management for duties assigned in Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 2, section 11, subdivision 3, paragraph (b), and additional duties as assigned in this section. new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end new text begin Land new text end

new text begin 14,835,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin Appropriations by Fund new text end
new text begin Environment and Natural Resources Trust new text end	new text begin 14,335,000 new text end	new text begin -0- new text end
new text begin LAWCON new text end	new text begin 500,000 new text end	new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Forest Legacy Conservation Easements new text end

new text begin $2,000,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire permanent working forest conservation easements on private forests in northern Minnesota, the Mississippi blufflands, and other areas identified through the state forest legacy program. Priority must be given to acquiring easements on private lands within existing Minnesota state forest boundaries. Any easements acquired must have a sustainable forestry practice management plan. Land subject to easements acquired under this appropriation is not eligible for payment under Minnesota Statutes, section 290C.07. The commissioner must report to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources with proposed minimum standards for forest conservation easements by June 1, 2007. The commission shall consider the proposed standards as part of the work program approval by June 30, 2007. No funds shall be expended until the commission has reviewed and approved minimum standards for forest conservation easements funded by the trust fund. new text end

new text begin (b) Minnesota Habitat Corridors Partnership - Phase IV new text end

new text begin $4,200,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements with Pheasants Forever; Minnesota Deer Hunters Association; Ducks Unlimited, Inc.; National Wild Turkey Federation; The Nature Conservancy; Minnesota Land Trust; The Trust for Public Land; Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; United States Fish and Wildlife Service; Red Lake Band of Chippewa; Leech Lake Band of Chippewa; Fond du Lac Band of Chippewa; USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service; and the Board of Water and Soil Resources to plan, restore, and acquire fragmented landscape corridors that connect areas of quality habitat to sustain fish, wildlife, and plants. Expenditures are limited to the project corridor areas as defined in the work program. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum habitat and facility management standards as determined by the commissioner. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of residential structures, unless expressly approved in the work program. All conservation easements must be perpetual and have a natural resource management plan. Any land acquired in fee title by the commissioner with money from this appropriation must be designated: new text end

new text begin (1) as an outdoor recreation unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07; or new text end

new text begin (2) as provided in Minnesota Statutes, sections 89.018, subdivision 2, paragraph (a); 97A.101; 97A.125; 97C.001; and 97C.011. The commissioner may similarly designate any lands acquired in less than fee title. new text end

new text begin (c) Metro Conservation Corridors - Phase III new text end

new text begin $2,500,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources for acceleration of agency programs and cooperative agreements with The Trust for Public Land; Friends of the Mississippi River; Great River Greening; Minnesota Land Trust; Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge Trust, Inc.; Trout Unlimited; and Friends of the Minnesota Valley for the purposes of planning, restoring, and protecting important natural areas in the metropolitan region, as defined by Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2, and portions of the surrounding counties, through grants, contracted services, conservation easements, and fee acquisition. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum management standards as determined by the commissioner. Expenditures are limited to the identified project corridor areas as defined in the work program. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of residential structures, unless expressly approved in the work program. All conservation easements must be perpetual and have a natural resource management plan. Any land acquired in fee title by the commissioner of natural resources with money from this appropriation must be designated: new text end

new text begin (1) as an outdoor recreation unit under Minnesota Statutes, section 86A.07; or new text end

new text begin (2) as provided in Minnesota Statutes, sections 89.018, subdivision 2, paragraph (a); 97A.101; 97A.125; 97C.001; and 97C.011. The commissioner may similarly designate any lands acquired in less than fee title. new text end

new text begin (d) Prairie Stewardship Assistance for Private Landowners new text end

new text begin $220,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to develop stewardship plans and implement prairie management on private prairie lands on a cost-share basis with private or federal funds. new text end

new text begin (e) State Park and Trail Land Acquisition new text end

new text begin $1,500,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to acquire land for state trails and in-holdings for state parks. Land acquired with this appropriation must be sufficiently improved to meet at least minimum management standards as determined by the commissioner. new text end

new text begin (f) Metropolitan Regional Park System Land Acquisition new text end

new text begin $2,500,000 is from the trust fund to the Metropolitan Council for subgrants for the acquisition of lands within the approved park unit boundaries of the metropolitan regional park system. This appropriation may not be used for the purchase of residential structures. Subdivision 12 applies to grants awarded in the approved work program. This appropriation must be matched by at least 40 percent of nonstate money and must be committed by December 31, 2007, or the appropriation cancels. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2010, at which time the project must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the work program. new text end

new text begin (g) Nonmetropolitan Regional Parks and Natural and Scenic Area Acquisitions new text end

new text begin $1,000,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to provide matching grants to local governments for acquisition of natural and scenic areas, as provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 85.019, subdivision 4a, and regional parks outside of the metropolitan area, as defined in Minnesota Statutes, section 473.121, subdivision 2. The local match required for a grant to acquire a regional park or regional outdoor recreation area is $2 of nonstate money for each $3 of state money. For the purposes of this paragraph, the match may be either cash or a qualifying land donation. Recipients may receive funding for more than one project in any given grant period. Subdivision 12 applies to grants awarded in the approved work program. new text end

new text begin (h) LAWCON Federal Reimbursements new text end

new text begin $500,000 is from the state land and water conservation account (LAWCON) in the natural resources fund to the commissioner of natural resources for priorities established by the commissioner for eligible state projects and administrative and planning activities consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.14, and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund Act. Subdivision 12 applies to grants awarded in the approved work program. This appropriation is contingent upon receipt of the federal obligation and remains available until June 30, 2010, at which time the project must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the work program. new text end

new text begin (i) Biological Control of European Buckthorn and Garlic Mustard new text end

new text begin $300,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to research potential insects for biological control of invasive European buckthorn species for the third biennium and to introduce and evaluate insects for biological control of garlic mustard for the second biennium. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2010, at which time the project must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the work program. new text end

new text begin (j) Neutralization of Reed Canary Grass Root Exudates new text end

new text begin $115,000 is from the trust fund to Minnesota State University, Mankato, to assess plant-soil feedback contribution to the invasiveness of reed canary grass through identification and neutralization of inhibitory root exudates. new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end new text begin Water Resources new text end

new text begin 5,051,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Local Water Management Matching Challenge Grants new text end

new text begin $350,000 is from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to accelerate the local water management challenge grant program under Minnesota Statutes, sections 103B.3361 to 103B.3369, through matching grants to implement high priority activities in state-approved comprehensive water management plans. For the purposes of this paragraph, the match must be a nonstate contribution and may be either cash or qualifying in-kind. The grants may be provided on an advance basis as specified in the work program. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2010, at which time the project must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the work program. new text end

new text begin (b) Protection of Rare and Unique Rock Outcrop Wetlands new text end

new text begin $563,000 is from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources in cooperation with Renville and Redwood Soil and Water Conservation Districts for perpetual easements of unique wetland and riparian habitats associated with rock outcrops in the Minnesota River Valley. new text end

new text begin (c) Land Retirement Effects on Minnesota River Basin Streams new text end

new text begin $275,000 is from the trust fund for the second biennium to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for a cooperative agreement with the United States Geological Survey to define the relation between land retirement and water quality and biological integrity in Minnesota River subbasins and to determine if nutrient transport reductions improve habitat and biodiversity in order to enhance prioritization of future land retirements. This appropriation must be matched by an equal amount of nonstate money and must be committed by December 31, 2007, or the appropriation cancels. new text end

new text begin (d) Demonstrating Benefits of Conservation Grasslands on Water Quality new text end

new text begin $374,000 is from the trust fund to the Science Museum of Minnesota to assess the long-term benefits of conservation grasslands in reducing sediment and nutrient loads through quantitative lake sediment analysis in small watersheds with different grassland acreages. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2010, at which time the project must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the work program. new text end

new text begin (e) Improved River Quality Monitoring Using Airborne Remote Sensing new text end

new text begin $159,000 is from the trust fund to Minnesota State University, Mankato, to monitor river water quality and riparian habitat through airborne dynamic hyperspectral remote sensing on the Blue Earth River. new text end

new text begin (f) Evaluating Riparian Timber Harvesting Guidelines - Phase III new text end

new text begin $400,000 is from the trust fund to the University of Minnesota to assess the timber harvesting riparian management guidelines for postharvest impacts on terrestrial, aquatic, and wildlife habitats. new text end

new text begin (g) Innovative Springshed Mapping for Trout Stream Management new text end

new text begin $270,000 is from the trust fund to the University of Minnesota to identify and delineate supply areas and springsheds, for springs serving as coldwater sources for modern and historic trout streams, and to assess the impacts from development and groundwater appropriations. new text end

new text begin (h) Intra-lake Zoning to Protect Sensitive Lakeshore Areas new text end

new text begin $110,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources in cooperation with Cass County to identify sensitive shorelines of the highest priority lakes to protect water quality and near-shore habitat through improved shoreland zoning by Cass County. new text end

new text begin (i) Water Resource Sustainability new text end

new text begin $292,000 is from the trust fund to the University of Minnesota to quantify sustainable supplies of surface and groundwater by integrating surface water, vadose zone, and groundwater systems into defined hydrologic units. new text end

new text begin (j) County Geologic Atlas Program Acceleration new text end

new text begin $400,000 is from the trust fund to the University of Minnesota, Minnesota Geologic Survey, to accelerate the production of county geologic atlases that describe location, size, boundaries, and vulnerability of aquifers to enhance the protection and use of groundwater. new text end

new text begin (k) Minnesota's Water Resources: Impacts of Climate Change - Phase II new text end

new text begin $300,000 is from the trust fund for the second biennium to the University of Minnesota, Natural Resources Research Institute, to quantify climate, hydrologic, and ecological variability and trends, along with economic impacts of environmental fluctuation on water resources, and to identify indicators of future climate change effects on aquatic systems. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2010, at which time the project must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the work program. new text end

new text begin (l) Pharmaceutical and Microbiological Pollution new text end

new text begin $302,000 is from the trust fund to the University of Minnesota to develop technologies that eliminate antibiotic-resistant bacteria, hormones, and other pharmaceutical compounds from Minnesota's surface waters. new text end

new text begin (m) Threat of Emerging Contaminants to Upper Mississippi Walleye new text end

new text begin $97,000 is from the trust fund to St. Cloud State University to assess whether the genetic diversity of walleye in the Upper Mississippi is negatively impacted by emerging contaminants at pollution hotspots where feminized male fish have been identified. new text end

new text begin (n) Cedar Creek Groundwater Project using Prairie Biofuel Buffers new text end

new text begin $659,000 is from the trust fund to the University of Minnesota, Cedar Creek Natural History Area, to provide quantitative data on the ability of diverse prairie buffers to capture runoff pollutants, to produce biofuel with minimal water requirements, and to provide high carbon sequestration. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2010, at which time the project must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the work program. new text end

new text begin (o) Pyrolysis Pilot Project new text end

new text begin $500,000 is from the trust fund to the University of Minnesota in cooperation with Rural Advantage to demonstrate a water-free pyrolysis technology for converting biomass feedstock to biofuels. This appropriation is available until June 30, 2010, at which time the project must be completed and final products delivered, unless an earlier date is specified in the work program. new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end new text begin Natural Resource Information new text end

new text begin 2,002,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin (a) Minnesota County Biological Survey new text end

new text begin $1,500,000 is from the trust fund to the commissioner of natural resources to accelerate the biological survey that identifies significant natural areas and systematically collects and interprets data on the distribution and ecology of native plant communities, rare plants, and rare animals. new text end

new text begin (b) Soil Survey new text end

new text begin $400,000 is from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources to accelerate the completion of soil survey mapping and Web-based data delivery in five or more counties. The new soil surveys must be done on a cost-share basis with local and federal funds. new text end

new text begin (c) Field Guide for Evaluating Vegetation of Restored Wetlands new text end

new text begin $53,000 is from the trust fund to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for an agreement with Bonestroo, Rosene, Anderlik, & Associates to develop a printed and Web-based field guide to assist the evaluation of the quality of wetland restorations in Minnesota. This wetland guide must be available for downloading free of charge on the Internet. new text end

new text begin (d) Natural Resource Data Collection and Mapping new text end

new text begin $49,000 is from the trust fund to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for analysis and implementation of critical state natural resource data collection and mapping. new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end new text begin Emerging Issues Account new text end

new text begin 160,000 new text end

new text begin -0- new text end

new text begin $160,000 is from the trust fund to an emerging issues account as authorized in Minnesota Statutes, section 116P.08, subdivision 4, paragraph (d). new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end new text begin Availability of Appropriations new text end

new text begin Unless otherwise provided, the amounts in this section are available until June 30, 2009, when projects must be completed and final products delivered. For acquisition of real property, the amounts in this section are available until June 30, 2010, if a binding contract is entered into by June 30, 2009, and closed not later than June 30, 2010. The amounts available in this section may be extended through an approved work program by up to one year. If a project receives a federal grant, the appropriation for the project shall be extended to equal the federal grant period. new text end

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end new text begin Leveraged Funds for Real Property Interest Requirement new text end

new text begin The work program for every appropriation for acquisition of a real property interest shall identify nonstate leveraged funds and a plan for expenditure of funds to maximize the benefit of the trust fund allocation. Any work program that proposes materially less leverage than the proposal shall be brought to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for review and approval or disapproval. The final report of each project shall identify all leverage obtained. Leveraged funds shall be spent concurrently with trust fund appropriations to the extent possible. new text end

new text begin Subd. 10. new text end new text begin Data Availability Requirements new text end

new text begin (a) Data collected by the projects funded under this section that have value for planning and management of natural resource, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure investments must conform to the enterprise technical architecture maintained by the Office of Enterprise Technology. Spatial data must conform to geographic information system guidelines and standards outlined in that architecture and adopted by the Minnesota Geographic Data Clearinghouse at the Land Management Information Center. A description of spatial data collected must adhere to Office of Enterprise Technology geographic metadata standards and must be submitted to the Land Management Information Center to be made available online through the clearinghouse and the data themselves must be accessible and free to the public unless made private under the Data Practices Act, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13. new text end

new text begin (b) To the extent practicable, summary data and results of projects funded under this section should be readily accessible on the Internet and identified as an environment and natural resources trust fund project. new text end

new text begin Subd. 11. new text end new text begin Project Requirements new text end

new text begin It is a condition of acceptance of the appropriations in this section that any agency or entity receiving the appropriation must comply with Minnesota Statutes, chapter 116P; vegetation planted must be of native ecotypes to Minnesota, and preferably of the local ecotype, unless expressly approved in the work program; parties to an easement must specify in the easement all the provisions of their agreement that are perpetual; an electronic copy of the terms of an easement acquired must be sent to the commission office; and in any acquisition of land or interest in land, priority must be given to lands with high quality natural resources or conservation lands that provide natural buffers to water resources. new text end

new text begin Subd. 12. new text end new text begin Payment Conditions and Capital Equipment Expenditures new text end

new text begin All agreements, grants, or contracts referred to in this section must be administered on a reimbursement basis unless otherwise provided in this section. Notwithstanding Minnesota Statutes, section 16A.41, expenditures made on or after July 1, 2007, or the date the work program is approved, whichever is later, are eligible for reimbursement unless otherwise provided in this section. Periodic payment must be made upon receiving documentation that the deliverable items articulated in the approved work program have been achieved, including partial achievements as evidenced by approved progress reports. Reasonable amounts may be advanced to projects to accommodate cash flow needs or match federal money. The advances must be approved as part of the work program. No expenditures for capital equipment are allowed unless expressly authorized in the project work program. new text end

new text begin Subd. 13. new text end new text begin Purchase of Recycled and Recyclable Materials new text end

new text begin A political subdivision, public or private corporation, or other entity that receives an appropriation in this section must use the appropriation in compliance with Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.121 and 16B.122, requiring the purchase of recycled, repairable, and durable materials; the purchase of uncoated paper stock; and the use of soy-based ink. new text end

new text begin Subd. 14. new text end new text begin Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Guidelines new text end

new text begin A recipient to whom an appropriation is made in this section for a capital improvement project shall ensure that the project complies with the applicable energy conservation and sustainable building guidelines and standards contained in law, including Minnesota Statutes, sections 16B.325, 216C.19, and 216C.20, and rules adopted thereunder. The recipient may use the energy planning, advocacy, and state energy office units of the Department of Commerce to obtain information and technical assistance on energy conservation and alternative energy development relating to the planning and construction of the capital improvement project. new text end

new text begin Subd. 15. new text end new text begin Accessibility new text end

new text begin Structural and nonstructural facilities must meet the design standards in the federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines. new text end

new text begin Subd. 16. new text end new text begin Carryforward new text end

new text begin (a) The availability of the appropriations for the following projects is extended to June 30, 2008: new text end

new text begin (1) Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 2, section 11, subdivision 7, paragraph (j), improving impaired watersheds: conservation drainage research; new text end

new text begin (2) Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 2, section 11, subdivision 8, paragraph (d), open space planning and protection; and new text end

new text begin (3) Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 2, section 11, subdivision 10, paragraph (d), dairy farm digesters. new text end

new text begin (b) The availability of the appropriation for the following project is extended to June 30, 2009: new text end

new text begin (1) Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 2, section 11, subdivision 9, paragraph (a), completing third-party certification of DNR forest lands; and new text end

new text begin (2) Laws 2005, First Special Session chapter 1, article 2, section 11, subdivision 10, paragraph (e), wind to hydrogen demonstration. new text end

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2006, section 116P.08, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Public meetings.

deleted text begin Technical advisory committee and commission deleted text end new text begin (a) new text end Meetings new text begin of the commission, committees or subcommittees of the commission, technical advisory committees, and peer review panels new text end must be open to the public. The commission shall attempt to meet throughout various regions of the state during each biennium. new text begin For purposes of this subdivision, a meeting occurs when a quorum is present and action is taken regarding a matter within the jurisdiction of the commission, a committee or subcommittee of the commission, a technical advisory committee, or a peer review panel. new text end

new text begin (b) For legislative members of the commission, enforcement of this subdivision is governed by section 3.055, subdivision 2. For nonlegislative members of the commission, enforcement of this subdivision is governed by section 13D.06, subdivisions 1 and 2. new text end

Presented to the governor April 30, 2007

Signed by the governor May 3, 2007, 4:56 p.m.